Wisdom from the World's Religions

A multifaith selection of quotes on fear from sacred texts.

Blessed be the Lord,for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to mewhen I was beset as a city under siege.I had said in my alarm,"I am driven far from your sight."

But you heard my supplicationswhen I cried out to you for help.Love the Lord, all you his saints.The Lord preserves the faithful,but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.Be strong, and let your heart take courage,all you who wait for the Lord.

--Psalm 31

The whole world is a very narrow bridge. And the most important thing is to not be afraid."

--Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

Nay, whoever submits His whole self to Allah and is a doer of good, He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

--Qur'an, Al Baqara, Surah 2:112

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I fear no evil;for thou art with me;thy rod and thy staff,they comfort me.

--Psalm 23

All tremble at the rod,all are fearful of death.Drawing the parallel to yourself,neither kill nor get others to kill.

--Dhammapada, 10translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Fear Allah wherever you may be, and repel evil with goodness, for that will efface all its negative results.

--The Prophet Muhammad,as reported by Abu Dharr

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fearthe Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keepthe commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I [Moses] command youthis day for your good?

Deuteronomy 10.12-13

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs 9.11

Whosoever submits his will to God, while doing good, his wage is with hisLord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they sorrow.

Qur'an 2.112

"What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will."